Outsmart AI-Driven Threats. Defend What Matters Most.

As cyber threats rapidly evolve and adversaries leverage AI to launch sophisticated attacks, the demand for human defenders has never been higher. The B.S. in Cybersecurity at Robert Morris University prepares you to master both offensive and defensive strategies, outsmart autonomous threats, and secure critical infrastructure in an increasingly connected world.

Machines analyze data, but human leaders navigate crisis management, cyber law, and high-stakes strategy under pressure. At RMU, you don’t just learn cybersecurity theory—you gain real-world, hands-on expertise in ethical hacking, penetration testing, network forensics, and incident response to become the indispensable security expert organizations trust.

• AI-Ready & Future-Proof: AI creates new digital vulnerabilities every day. RMU trains you to become the human expert who can analyze, adapt, and respond to AI-driven threats in real time. 
• Dual-Room Cyber Lab Experience: Train in an isolated, private network environment. Practice offensive tactics with Kali Linux in our attack lab and build enterprise defenses in our Windows Security Operations Center (SOC).
• Nationally Accredited: Accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET and designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (NCAE-CD) by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and National Security Agency (NSA).  
• Industry-Aligned Certifications: Coursework directly prepares you for top industry certifications, giving you a competitive edge in the job market before you even graduate.
• Proven Career Success: 92% placement rate in full-time employment or graduate school within one year of graduation.
• Maximum Flexibility: Complete your degree 100% online (anywhere/anytime) or on campus in Moon Township. 

Robert Morris University has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (NCAE-CD) by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Experiential Learning: The RMU Cyber Lab

Cybersecurity isn’t learned from a textbook—it’s forged in real-time scenarios inside RMU’s dedicated, dual-room Cyber Lab. Operating on an isolated, private network, our state-of-the-art facility provides a safe, real-world sandbox to practice both sides of digital warfare:

• Offensive Security Lab: Outfitted with Kali Linux to perform ethical hacking attacks, run penetration testing, and identify network vulnerabilities.
• Defensive Security Lab: Configured as an enterprise Windows Security Operations Center (SOC) to monitor live threats, analyze logs, and execute incident response strategies.

You’ll graduate with the exact practical, Day-1 experience that top corporate and government employers demand.

Industry Demand & Career Pathways

High-Demand Career Roles:

• Threat Defense & Operations: Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst, Incident Response Specialist, Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst, Threat Hunter
• Offensive & Engineering: Penetration Tester / Ethical Hacker, Application Security (AppSec) Engineer, Cloud Security Specialist
• Forensics & Investigation: Cyber Crime Investigator, Digital Forensics Examiner, Mobile Forensics Specialist, Cyber Forensics Specialist
• Governance & Identity: Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Analyst, Cyber Risk & Governance Consultant, Identity and Access Management (IAM) Engineer

Degree Requirements and Courses

The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree consists of 120 credit hours of coursework. The study plan below is for guidance only. Always review your individual check sheet for your degree requirements. 

View Guided Curriculum

Courses

Major Credits - 69 Credits Required (Minimum grade of "C" must be earned for each course)

• CYBS2000 Introduction to Cybersecurity
• CYBS2010 Computing Principles & Practices
• INFS2020 Operating Systems
• INFS2151 Java Programming; or INFS2184 C++ Programming; or CYBS3250 Advanced Application Programming & Security
• INFS2230 Computer Networking
• CYBS3120 Introduction to Digital Forensics
• CYBS3170 Cyberlaw
• CYBS3190 Cyber Forensic Investigations
• CYBS3191 Mobile Forensics
• CYBS3220 Secure System Design
• INFS3235 Network Security
• INFS3240 Programming Python Language
• INFS3450 Discrete Mathematics for Computing
• CYBS3850 Ethical Hacking: Pen Testing
• CYBS4180 Network Forensics
• INFS4240 Database Management Systems
• CYBS4250 Data Security and Cryptography
• CYBS4300 Cybersecurity Risk Management
• CYBS4340 Cybersecurity Incident Response & Planning
• CYBS4350 Cybersecurity Policies, Standards, & Compliance
• CYBS4360 Emerging Topics in Cybersecurity
• INFS4370 IT Governance & Ethics
• CYBS4870 Cybersecurity Capstone
• INFS4860 Program Outcomes Assessment (0 credits)

RMU Core Courses - 39 Credits
Open Electives - 12 Credits

Admissions and Tuition Information

• The minimum GPA is 2.75 
• Applicants with a GPA of 2.74-2.50 are considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
• SAT and ACT testing scores are now optional for freshman applicants.
• Estimated Tuition
• View costs and tuition information

Scholarships, Professional Opportunities & Student Organizations

Scholarships, internships and professional opportunities are available throughout the program.

• NSF CyberCorps® SFS Scholarship Program
  The National Science Foundation (NSF) CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) Program seeks to recruit highly qualified students and develop them well-prepared cybersecurity professionals to meet the growing needs of the federal, state, local and tribal government workforce and to defend America’s cyberspace. SFS students may receive up to 3 years of full funding support to complete their program.
• Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program
  • The Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program (DoD CySP) provides full ride scholarship grants to promote the education, recruitment and retention of qualified and selected students in cybersecurity studies at institutions with Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (CAE-C) designations, including CAE-CDE (Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education).
• NSF CyberScholars Grant Program
• Other Scholarships
• National Science Foundation (NSF) Research and Scholarship Grant – CIS Cyber Scholars 
• Seminars and Internships at The Washington Center
• Center for Cybersecurity Education
• RMU Top Secret Colonials Cybersecurity Club (Faculty Advisor: Dr. Karen Paullet)
• RMU Women in Cybersecurity Club (Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sushma Mishra)
• RMU Chapter of Order of Sword and Shield (Faculty Advisor: Dr. Frank Hartle)
• NCAE Cyber Games Cybersecurity Competition (Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ping Wang)
• National Cyber League Cybersecurity Competition (Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ping Wang)

Meet the Faculty

The School of Informatics, Humanities and Social Sciences faculty is a team of dedicated teacher-scholars, award-winning artists, practitioners, and academics who are committed to your long-term success.

Meet the Faculty

ABET Accreditation Information

The B.S. in Cyber Forensics and Information Security program was renamed to B.S. in Cybersecurity. The program is originally accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

 

Program Educational Objectives

Five years after graduation, the graduates should be:

• Contributing to the workforce in their specialty such as but not limited to computer forensics, mobile security, network security, software security, database security, or information security.
• Advancing their careers via continuous learning and professional development through the attainment of professional certification, professional study and research or graduate education.
• Assuming positions of leadership within their organization.
• Contributing to economic development and society through the prevention and detection of cyber threats in the computer-based information systems for business, government, and other organizations.

Program Outcomes

At the time of graduation, Cybersecurity graduates should be able to:

• Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
• Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
• Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
• Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
• Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
• Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats.

Program Enrollment and Graduation Data

• 2020: 220 enrolled, 51 graduates
• 2019: 227 enrolled, 47 graduates
• 2018: 218 enrolled, 52 graduates
• 2017: 244 enrolled, 39 graduates
• 2016: 174 enrolled, 24 graduates
• 2015: 144 enrolled, 23 graduates
• 2014: 137 enrolled, 22 graduates
• 2013: 100 enrolled, 11 graduates
• 2012: 48 enrolled, 1 graduate

Contact Us

Dr. Jamie Pinchot

Department Head, Computer and Information Systems
Professor of Computer and Information Systems

Email: pinchot@rmu.edu
Phone: 412-397-6050